Melissa Navia & “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Cast Appearing in “Star Trek” Franchise’s First-Ever Musical Episode

Melissa Navia is preparing to sing & dance in space…

The 38-year-old Latina actress and her fellow Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast mates will be part of the first-ever musical episode for the Star Trek franchise.

Melissa NaviaEpisode 2099, “Subspace Rhapsody,” the musical episode will air on Thursday, August 3.

It will feature 10 original songs, plus a special version of the series’ main title, with music and lyrics by Kay Hanley  and Tom Polce.

In Season 2 of Strange New Worlds, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, under the command of Captain Christopher Pike, confronts increasingly dangerous stakes, explores uncharted territories and encounters new life and civilizations. The crew will also embark on personal journeys that will continue to test their resolve and redefine their destinies. Facing friends and enemies both new and familiar, their adventures will unfold in surprising ways never seen before on any Star Trek series.

In addition Navia as Erica Ortegas, the series also stars Anson Mount as Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Una Chin-Riley, Ethan Peck as Spock, Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, Christina Chong as La’An Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura and Babs Olusanmokun as Joseph M’Benga.

Season two also features the return of special guest star Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk and new addition Carol Kane in a recurring role as Pelia.

Season two of Strange New Worlds is produced by CBS Studios, Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment.

Paramount+ Releases Trailer for “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” Featuring Melissa Navia

Melissa Navia is entering a strange new world

Paramount+ released a new teaser trailer for the upcoming original series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, featuring the Colombian-American actor, writer, and stand-up comedian, ahead of its May 5 premiere.

Melissa Navia

New episodes will be released on Thursdays.

“Our first visit from the stars is always the province of children’s stories and science fiction,” a voiceover in the teaser says. “Until one day, it isn’t.”

Strange New Worlds follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Science Officer Spock (Ethan Peck), and Number One (Rebecca Romijn/Una Chin-Riley) as they explore new worlds around the galaxy. Their adventures predate Captain Kirk’s ever stepping foot aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.

A second season was confirmed in January.

Costars also include Jess Bush as Nurse Christine Chapel, Christina Chong as La’an Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Nyota Uhura, Navia as Lt. Erica Ortegas, and Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. M’Benga.

The series premiere was written by Akiva Goldsman with the story by Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, and Jenny Lumet. Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers serve as co-showrunners, with Goldsman directing the premiere episode.

The series is produced by CBS Studios, Secret Hideout, and Roddenberry Entertainment.

Melissa Navia to Star in Paramount+’s New Original Series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”

Melissa Navia is ready to trek around the universe…

The Colombian-American actor, writer, and stand-up comedian has joined the cast of Paramount+’s upcoming new original series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds as production officially gets underway in Toronto.

Melissa Navia

Navia joins a cast of series regulars that includes Babs Olusanmokun, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding and Jess Bush.

The series is based on the years Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Navia and the gang join previously announced cast members Ethan Peck, Anson Mount and Rebecca Romijn, who will be reprising their roles from Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery.

The Strange New Worlds‘ premiere episode is written by Star Trek: Picard EP Akiva Goldsman from a story the Oscar winner wrote with Alex Kurtzman and fellow EP Jenny Lumet. Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers serve as co-showrunners, with Goldsman directing the premiere episode.

The series is distributed by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group.

Navia’s recent television credits include a recurring role on AMC’s Dietland and guest roles on Showtime’s Billions and Homeland.

In March 2020, she made her Off-Broadway debut in the praised Bundle of Sticks at INTAR Theatre.

Adan Rocha to Star on Showtime’s “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels”

Things are pretty Dreadful for Adan Rocha

The Latino actor has joined the cast of Showtime‘s Penny Dreadful: City of Angels

Adan Rocha 

Rocha will recur in the Penny Dreadful spinoff as Diego Lopez, a young, vulnerable follower of Fly Rico (Sebastian Chacon), the powerful leader of the Pachucos, a Latino “Zoot Suit” gang. Ready to lay down his life for his Pachuco brothers or sisters, he becomes caught up in a dangerous event far beyond his control.

A spiritual descendant of the story set in Victorian-era London, the next chapter of the Penny Dreadful saga will employ a new vision, new characters and storylines. It opens in 1938 Los Angeles; a time and place deeply infused with social and political tension. When a grisly murder shocks the city, Detective Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto) is embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of Los Angeles: from the building of the city’s first freeways and its deep traditions of Mexican-American folklore, to the dangerous espionage actions of the Third Reich and the rise of radio evangelism. Before long, Tiago and his family are grappling with powerful forces that threaten to tear them apart.

The series also stars Natalie DormerKerry BishéAdriana BarrazaRory KinnearJessica Garza, Johnathan NievesMichael Gladisand Nathan Lane. Other recurring roles will be filled by Lorenza IzzoAdam RodriguezThomas KretschmannDominic Sherwoodand Ethan Peck.

Rocha was recently a series regular on Murphy BrownHis other credits include appearances on The FostersBrockmireand American Crime.

Sebastian Chacon to Star in Showtime’s “Penny Dreadful” Spinoff “City of Angels”

Sebastian Chacon is ready to Fly

The Latino actor has joined the cast of Showtime’s Penny Dreadful spinoff City of Angels.

Sebastian Chacon

Chacon will play the character of Fly Rico, the powerful leader of the Pachucos, a Latino “Zoot Suit” gang. Rico exudes an irresistible bravado and is slick, smart and dangerous.

Chacon joins a robust cast that includes Daniel ZovattoNatalie DormerKerry BishéAdriana BarrazaRory KinnearJessica Garza ,Johnathan NievesMichael Gladisand Nathan Lane

Other recurring roles will be filled by Lorenza IzzoAdam Rodriguez, Thomas KretschmannDominic Sherwood and Ethan Peck.

A spiritual descendant of the story set in Victorian-era London, the next chapter of the Penny Dreadful saga will employ a new vision, new characters and storylines. 

It opens in 1938 Los Angeles; a time and place deeply infused with social and political tension. When a grisly murder shocks the city, Detective Tiago Vega (Zovatto) is embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of Los Angeles: from the building of the city’s first freeways and its deep traditions of Mexican-American folklore, to the dangerous espionage actions of the Third Reich and the rise of radio evangelism. Before long, Tiago and his family are grappling with powerful forces that threaten to tear them apart.

Chacon has appeared in Netflix’s Tales of the CityThe CodePose, Chicago FireUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Narcos and the indie film Angelfish.

Varela Cast in CW’s Drama Futuristic Pilot “The Selection”

Leonor Varela could soon be getting the royal treatment on television…

The 39-year-old Chilean actress has been cast in the CW’s drama pilot The Selection, which has been compared to The Hunger Games.

Leonor Varela

Based on the upcoming series of books by Kiera Cass, The Selection is described as an epic romance set 300 years in the future. It centers on America Singer (Aimee Teegarden), a poor young woman who is chosen by lottery to participate in a competition to marry Prince Maxon (Ethan Peck) and become the next queen of a war-torn nation at a crossroads.

Varela, who has appeared on Arrested Development and Human Target, will play Maxon’s mother, Queen Amberly.

The bilingual actress and telenovela star just wrapped a six-episode arc on TNT’s upcoming Dallas reboot, which will premiere this summer.